**While filming this video about "crystal clear water" my filter decided to start spitting up some junk and made my water look terrible. 🤦♂️ Unfortunately I didn't realize until post editing. But instead of scrapping the whole video I decided it still has plenty of helpful information for all of you that need it. So I'll take the criticisms of a dirty tank on the chin like a champ. Enjoy! 😊**
Hello brother, I followed your tips , added polyfill in my canister tray, added a wave maker and reduced food qty to half...yes half. The water is unbelievably crystal clear. You share great information and very precisely. Hatsoff..Love from India❤️
I found the equivalent of polyphil , Fluval filterwatte and you SAVED ME . Combined with activated charcoal I have that crystal clear water like yours . Every one who comes to my home loves my aquarium ❤️😎 Thanks Kev !!!!!
Thank you for the videos. I bought a tank last night. And started watching videos when I found your channel. Thank you for all the videos. It provided me with a lot of knowledge that will help me with my journey.
Kev gives great advice all around. Honestly, I was a bit skeptical at first about adding the chemical filtration, but it took my water clarity to the next level. My fish look like they are flying in mid-air. If you follow Kev's advice (he'll send you the guide he wrote on the subject), you too can have the crystal clear water you've always wanted. Much appreciated Kev, keep up the great work and great content!
Hey Kav! I am new to this hobby and recently subscribed to your channel. I have 10 gallon tank, medium stock, as of no live plants. I bought the cannister filter, can you help me understand if I need to keep the filter ON 24x7 or is it ok to keep it off during night? Appreciate your time and help.
Thanks dude, you’re the man. You just resolve a problem I have with my mbuna yellow lab tank, I have cloudy water due to over feeding, yeh I guess we are all guilty of doing this. I’m now going to take a large s-once filter from one of the five tanks and put it in the cloudy water tank, I’m confident this with do the trick, plus I have turned off the lights and stopped feeding my mbuna tank for a couple of days. Thanks again for your advice. Best regards.
Hai Le Give them more time, they’re just getting used to you and the environment. Have some up close FaceTime with the tank just before feedings. They’ll remember you are the one that feeds them. 👍
i love your tutorials so thank you for those. I love fancy goldfish and have two tanks - I have 2 x 15cm black moors in one tank and 2 small orandas and a ryukin in the other tank. I am struggling with ammonia spikes and unstable ph on occasions and water that is not crystal clear. I do everything that i supposed to ie: water changes, maintenance of filters but never on water change day. I monitor all perameters regularly. I am suspecting that i am guilty of overfeeding my fish - i cant resist the way they beg for it. Either that or my filters are not doing their job. I use a Seachem HOB and I also have Aqua One filters that attach to inside the tank. I also make sure that I have the 3 types of media and I use Seachem products such as: Prime, Stability, Equilibrium (tank water) and Purigen when needed. Any tips and advice is greatly appreciated. What are the most efficient filters for my grubby goldfish and how much should I feed them?????
U did a video about bio home ultimate .i bought some and put it in also I use Puritan and chemipure blue put 2 new bags in . Heard it might slow the process of biohome . What do u think should I have not put it in with biohome ..I am just going to leave my Purigen and chemi pure blue in and see what happens .just wanted your opinion on this matter ..once again thanks for all the great videos
jlm m I heard the same thing, so I removed the chemi pure blue and the purigen but so far my nitrates have not changed at all from week to week...I am waiting a full 4 months before making a new video on the bio-home.
With regards to the polyfil.....how often would you change it, and it's going to be full of beneficial bacteria, so when you change it are you causing a big reduction of beneficial bacteria. I understand that it is everywhere, on your rocks, driftwood, glass, basically everything in the tank. Is the premise that enough beneficial bacteria exists that swapping out the polyfil won't affect the tank? I currently run 2 HOB's and a sponge filter on a 75 gal. I have polyfil in both my HOB's.
Hallo. I like your videos, I am new in the hobby and have a 20 gallon tank with 4 guppies currently with one panda cory and one albino pleco. I have been struggling with nitrate and ammonia spikes. I did 2 water changes and cleaned the substrate thoroughly. I lost 6 guppies before this. I have a filter that came with the tank and also bought a rock bubbler. Do I need a bigger filter for the aquarium? I want to add more panda's and guppies to fill out the schools again.
Hello, I have a question, I seen you had a pink convict cichlid in your tank. I have 7 or 8 of them. I got all my from 2 of them from my original 2 fish, I bought. They had so many fry, I gave most of them to the fish store. But I kept 8 of them. My question is what kind of other cichlids can I put with them. Because my are aggressive and territory
Hi. At the moment I have a 24 litre tank, I just purchased a 180 litre tank. I want to know if I ad the water from my small tank into the bigger one if it's safe to transfer my fish or if should I wait and cycle the new tank. I'm a newly to this hobby.
Which type of African cichlids can we keep together? What you suggest? Im looking for colorful fishes, friendly behavior and less aggressive and good looking obviously
If you like color fish then african cichlids are a good choice! You mostly want to stick with either Peacocks and Haps together or just Mbuna together...Check out this video with some good info ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vD3aL5ONwzo.html
Hey caveman I have a 210 gallon tank what’s a good rlly strong air pump and stone I can use for it ? What do you use? I do have 2 wavemakers but I also want to add a air pump I currently have one but it’s not strong enough it won’t make the air stone I’m using put out as much bubbles as it should
@@KaveManAquatics hey. Just wanted to know 9if it is necessary to keep an extra yank for quarantine purposes. At our local pet shop the owner said its not necessary to isolate a sick fish as it will not affect the other fish. Is this true?
Kev you are the man! So glad I found your channel. I got into the hobby about a year ago and after my tank caught a bad case of ich I lost 80% of my fish. I was ready to call it quits and give up on the fish hobby. After watching all your videos I feel rejuvenated lol. You get to the point and answer all the important questions that I had. Thanks again kev and keep the new content coming!
Man thats tough to go through losing so many fish, but I'm glad I was able to help you get back into it! Thanks for that positive feedback, its greatly appreciated! 😊
you know why ive had so much trouble getting my tank clear. I use the poly, FX6, Sponge filter but never change my charcoal, ima get it bruv. Been trying for about 6 years lol Facts
I have a question I need your help with. I used garlic guard with the medication for my fish I think I used a little to much now my water is really cloudy. I did a partial water change and still cloudy. Will carbon clear the water and how long does it usually take? Thank you again for everything
Carlos Acevedo Dont even worry about it, your filter will clear it up over night. A little extra garlic guard won’t hurt anybody, just makes their food even more tasty 😆
KaveMan Aquatics the reason I asked was I used it yesterday and today it’s still cloudy and I did a 30% water change this morning and still cloudy. I’ll give it a few days and see what happens thank you
Carlos Acevedo Garlic guard wouldn’t keep your water cloudy for multiple days. Couldyness could be due to the water change...should clear up soon. Be careful not to over feed, that will cause cloudy water also.
KaveMan Aquatics I thought it was a combination of the garlic guard and medication because water was crystal clear and when I fed them the medication with the garlic it got cloudy s soon as I feed them. I know I fed them to much also. I just hope it clears up soon. I hate seeing the tank like that lol. Thank you again bro.
It’s possible also that your guys didn’t eat all the medicated food. Meds taste nasty and that’s why the garlic guard helps. It’ll clear up soon, next time use a little less food. Sometimes I even double dose the garlic guard to make sure they eat everything!
hi i would like to know about gold fish, if iv got females and males gold fish do i have to remove them for the mane tank because my gold fish have been chasing each other and i mite got eggs or can i live them in the tank with other gold fish thank if can help me out i an quiet new with gold fish and tank
hi kev hey what kind of sand do you use i am setting up a 55 gallon tank and how much should i buy ? i watch all of you video's for ideas you know pretty much everything about african cichlids i am building my tank now/
I use both crushed coral and aragonite sand mixed together to help in raising the PH. Here's links to both - Aragonite Sand - amzn.to/3lvOmeU Crushed Coral - amzn.to/3lTuVNl
@@KaveManAquatics hey i don't mean to be a pest but i need your input i know to mix the sand and gravel together is there a special ratio to follow i will be using about 30 pounds of gravel do i do the same with sand ? just trying to do the right thing . thanks
You need a natural buffer to raise and stabilize PH like crushed coral or aragonite sand. Check out my free webinar on keeping African Cichlids - event.webinarjam.com/channel/KaveMan-Aquatics
Well yes, but those are things you need in general for any fish, I thought you meant Africans specifically. Prime to dechlorinate is a must but there are other option products to help your Africans thrive. You also need to make sure your tank is cycled before adding any fish.
Hi Kev. Would you recommend buying a Water Clarifier Drops for having crystal clear water like this item here: *API ACCU-CLEAR Freshwater Aquarium Water*? I have my sponge filter, but my water's still all cloudy.
Lucci King It’s called flashing, there’s so many theories out there I haven’t been able to say one is more accurate than the other. Some say it’s the water condition and the fish are irritated and need to scratch. Others say it could just be playful behavior. 🤷🏼♂️ Im leaning towards the side of irritation though. Something not right with the water.
Lucci King Did you just do a water change? Could be difference in temperature. Could be your PH level. Could be the fish is stressed for multiple reasons. Unfortunately there’s really not much you can do besides making sure the water parameters are optimal...sorry can’t help more.
I followed your advice for my first cichlid tank and it is running like a charm. I just have one question for you though. I have a 65 gallon with a hang on back rated for a 90 gallon as well as a sponge rated for a 75, is that enough filtration? I have six cichlids in there now but will be adding more soon.
andrew brown Glad to hear that!! 👏 Usually these filter company ratings are far off. They rate their filters empty with no media in them. Once you add sponges and bio-media and anything else the flow is greatly reduced. If it’s rated for 90 gallons consider it half that. So I’d say upgrade your HOB, The sponge filter is a perfect size but I consider those complimentary to a good HOB or canister. Especially when keeping Cichlids that grow quick and poop a lot.
Hey Kev, thanks for the great advise and videos, and if I see it correctly in the photo on the wall, THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE!! I am going to add Poly-fil, as I am constantly struggling with hazy water, do you rinse it first, or just add it in?
Yes that is me 25 years ago 😊 Thank you! You dont need to rinse the poly-fil, simply install in the filter. You will see an immediate improvement. If you dont get to the clarity you really want grab my book with everything you need to know to get there! bit.ly/clearH2O
Quick question, how many times would you reuse your poly-fill/filter wool, and how would you know when to replace them? Love the content! Thanks so much! Super informative!
Never re-use polyfil or any other Fine filter media. Replace it when your filter output flow starts to reduce. That means your polyfil is clogged up and needs a replacement.
Thanks so much! Thank The Lord I have been doing that haha. Rookie mistake avoided! I always replace them as by the end of a month when maintainence is due, I notice outflow from the canister is low. True enough the filter wools are full of waste particles! You're the best mate!@@KaveManAquatics
Choollllllla!!!!!! That's so many fish in the tank, beautiful though. isn't that too Many? How many gallon is it? You can keep the both clean with a plecco. I got mine at a young age, was maybe an inch? Or less? He's about 12 inches now, he's not playing around. When I get my tank right I'll add a video if your curious!!?!
Hey KaveMan. I could guess but thought I'd just ask.... What type are the rocks in the tank right at the start of the video? Thanks for your awesome content.
Shit I keep posting but I can't edit my posts In my phone, strange. I ordered a Marineland Maxi-Jet 600 Pro Pump, they have different models and numbers and I got confused on the pictures when the box is turned by the seller. I have a 60 gallon tank with a fx6 and can't seem to get the water 4k so I watched your other video on how to filter it by adding a bottle. My question is should I return the 600 pro and get the Marineland Maxi-Jet 1200 Pro Pump or will the pump be too hard on the fish in a 60 gallon. At this point in dying to get it the way I want it.
I have two questions for you. What type of substrate are you using? And what type of decor are you using? I love the way your tank looks and I want mine to look like yours lol. I have the exact same tank that you do. The 75 gallon from Marineland. Thanks.
Thanks man, Unfortunatley its been so long that I dont remember exactly the type of substrate I use. I do know its a mix of white and black sand (about 5-1 ratio) to get that oreo look, but I also added some crushed coral to help buffer my water. The crushed coral gives the substrate an edgy look which I like a lot. The decor was found at my local Pet Smart, I got lucky and grabbed the last 2 on the shelf. Try their website or your local pet smart, good luck! 😊
I used to use it all the time, but I switched over to mostly Purigen. But chemical media isnt the end all be all to get clarity from your tank. My book will have your tank crystal clear 24/7! Check it out - bit.ly/clearH2O
Hey, Your tank decor-is it enough for all those cichlids? Where did u buy them? I decorated my tank with rocks, but they take so much space....and vacuuming it is a real pain. Im also gonna swap my play sand for Aragonite sand, so I figured it may b a good time switching to easier decor. Thanks buddy
I keep peacocks and Haps, they dont really need much decor, they need more swimming space. Sometimes I feel these big rocks in the tank are TOO MUCH decor lol
I try not over feed my fish. I have taken your advice about giving enough that it's all eaten before it hits the bottom. Problem, I have julii pleco's x2 how do I feed them? I put in alge wafers but my gourami fish won't let them near it. HELP! thanks for the time you take to Make videos to help us out.
Hey man just subscribed been watching for a couple months now. If you could pls get in contact with me some type of way I love aquariums and I watched every last one of your videos and I’m struggling with this 10 gallon tank I’ve had forever and still haven’t been able to put a fish in it. Currently cycling the tank but I have all these little bubbles at the top of my tank. It’s a fishless cycle I have everything I need but somethings just hit right pls help me if you can. Pet store owners don’t know anything there talking ab
There are many ways you can find help here. I highly suggest you check out my playlist for beginners. It'll be very helpful for you 😁 - ru-vid.com/group/PLP5OXTIIDO8NYvhUHAmwAd54WFmS4d8er But I also have 1 on 1 coaching if you'd prefer direct help, get more info here - kavemanaquatics.com/kaveman-coaching
Hi Kev, I moved from NY to Florida. Can I use water from the outside hose( since water is warm) to do water changes. I would obviously use declorinater and let the water run a bit to clear out the hose.My faucets in the house won’t work with those pythons. Thx
My water is looking cloudy and was told that I have a algae bloom. I don’t want to kill my fish, everything was fine chemicals and doing water changes then all of a sudden it was starting to get cloudy. I have an HOB and a sponge filter. Please help
You came to the right place, there are many reasons why your water can get cloudy. Over feeding, lights on too long, not enough mechanical filtration...plenty of reasons. I made a free ebook on getting crystal clear water, itll definitely help you out - kavemanaquatics.com/free-ebook
We got a 35-gallon tank with 6 Neon Tetras and 3 Albino Corys. How often should we do a water change? We just did a water change Saturday and the water is starting to get cloudy. You got you a new sub a s well.
Water changes should be done based on your nitrate levels. Test your water and that will determine a good schedule for you. Watch this playlist when you can, it's very helpful for beginners - ru-vid.com/group/PLP5OXTIIDO8NYvhUHAmwAd54WFmS4d8er
I have an hob with basic noob carbon filters, looking to use poly fill, do I need to place the poly fill in a bag or do I just stuff it into the hob? Also, should I remove the carbon altogether? Thanks bro.
Just stuff it in, no bag...check this short video out - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KbpEpfeGaHI.html You can remove the carbon to create more space for the polyfil. Carbon isnt necessary.
I have a question I have 100 gallon tank with koi fish. Would it hurt to add a second canister filter to the tank. The one I have doesn’t seem to do it’s Job alone. The one i have is a Eheim 2217
How about caring for a 5 gallon tank? I'm new to this and my tank always seems cloudy, dirty etc. I know there is only so much you can do with 5 gallons but any help?
My book on getting crystal clear water can definitely help! 😁 It's short, to the point, and covers all the causes and solutions for cloudy water. Comes in eBook and Paperback. I promise You won't be disappointed! Check it out here - bit.ly/clearH2O
Sorry dont really understand the question...Yes you need an airpump to attach to a sponge filter. Heres a good guide at getting crystal clear water - bit.ly/H2O
Can u please go into what mechankcal filtration is best. I have one of those hang on filters that came with the Tank. It has a cartridge and a small sponge that I guess is for ammonia removal. I have some cloudy water and have been trying hard to get clear.
Here's a great video on HOB's - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-unlFewmTrBw.html I also have a book with everything you need to do to get crystal clear water - bit.ly/clearH2O And I also highly suggest you check out my playlist for beginners. It'll be very helpful for you 😁 - ru-vid.com/group/PLP5OXTIIDO8NYvhUHAmwAd54WFmS4d8er
i just bought a tank an it cloudy i cant see my fish i already lost 1 fish any tips to help with cycle mines is starting to cycle i got from a pet store a old filter to boost my cycle but i really need help....
Sorry to hear that. Seeded media is awesome, that should help cycle your tank. But if you still have cloudy water it could be many reasons for it. My ebook will get you crystal clear water! bit.ly/clearH2O
Awesome video, I run 2 big sponge filters and FX4 with Potho in my 75 gallon. I placed a Marineland 350 also water polishing. Sounds ah bit much, but obtained the floating on air effect.
I’m having problems with bacterial bloom after water changes. I noticed you said to make sure the water your entering into your tank needs to be close as possible to the temp that your tank is. How are you doing it? I’m using a python and using the same method as in your gravel vacuuming video.
Use a regular thermometer at your tap. Adjust your hot and cold till you get it where you need it. Cost like $5 bucks on Amazon. But If you have bacterial bloom stop doing water changes. Just leave it alone until it clears. Each water change can reset the bloom.
Kaveman a couple questions,what replacement foam could I buy to replace the coarse foam that comes with a fx6?Im looking for something that has coarse,for the bottom rack,medium,for the middle rack and fine for the top rack,hopefully I’m right in the placement in the fx6?Maybe something on Amazon,also what is a good but affordable sponge filter brand?Looking to put them in some 40 gallons breeders for Convicts and Honduran Red Points?Definetly want to over filtrate so what size sponge filter would u recommend for a 40 gallon?Thank u for any help
That's a great question bro, I haven't had to replace my sponges yet but I'd also like to pimp my filter like pond guru has his with medium and fine sponges. If and when I find some I'll be sure to update your comment. And if you find some let me know! 😊
Hi @Kaveman Aquatics, Kave. Thanks for the tips. They are useful for sure. However I don't know why but having this brown Algae issue (links below) if I don't clean it for few days, I know it's light and indirect sunlight from the window, however, I checked water parameters and looks normal. I use Fluval 206, and Marineland Polishing filter, and a sponge filter. I have been in hobby since last 11 years, keeping flowerhorn most! Here I feel that Fluval the coarse vertical bio sponge by passing most debris rather filtering out, I use handful of biomedia and carbon, and also using polyfill too in the Fluval canister. I think the design fault of the Fluval and I really want to get rid of the unit, but would like to wait for next few months. The tank is 40 breeder. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yh8ZkTOhi5Y.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5ssvgK4JLiY.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KgHLVWb6wL0.html
I never do water change of a 75 gallon tank but replace the water due to evaporation (open top tank - the tank is half filled with 10 of 2.5 Hans discus). I don't use any type of filters. Add tank mates like cardinal tetras and Sterbai Cory catfish to clean up leftover. Use wave makers and air pump. Have plenty of emersed plants (put the root part into a glass jar) to absorb phosphate from the frozen food. Place the jars inside plastic pots filled with aquarium gravel. Use Fluval 3.0 LED plant light. Daily: Put a capful of Seachem Prime (neutralize the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate but still foods for the plants and beneficial bacteria), a pinch of baking soda (keeping the PH stable due to the frozen food from Hans) into the tank. When replacing the water, put a teaspoon of API Algaefix in the tank to keep the water clear. Used 1/2 a teaspoon at the beginning. Use a net to scoop out whatever I don't want to look at.
As often as you see poop start to pile up. If your nitrates are reaching very high levels before your water change you either need to up your water changes and/or vacuum more often to get that waste out of there
Yeah I found out today I was over feeding. I did a cleaning of my 10 gallon tank, and there was more food than poop but I do clean the tank 2 times a week trying to help keep the ammonia levels down. I only had 4 fish in the tank and its levels stay steady at .25 my tank isnt cycled yet my nitrite levels are still very low and nitrate is at .25. I do use a betta bowl plus which neutralizes the bad chemicals so I havnt lost fish do to ammonia. But I did have a zebra danio get killed by another zebra danio he wouldnt let it eat for a day or so and had it so scared if I tried sneaking it food it wouldnt even eat and if it did the bully would attack. Well he died yesterday. I removed the bully for 12 hours and tried putting him back in well the last zebra danio and my betta started attacking him i think they wanted revenge. No joke the good zebra danio and my betta are still in a tank together and they are fine they even play chase. But they wont bite eat other. But the bully i think will die now because the betta took one of his fins off and the other danio rammed him in the gills really hard and now he wont eat and he is panicking and i even removed him from the tank he still wont eat or relax he is taking his punishment very hard. He wont make it I'm going to bring him back to petco to be safe see if they know what his problem is. He was so aggressive after a week of owning him.
Kev, good video! Thanks for the info. For my 50 Gal fish tank, no matter what I do, the white cloudiness just doesn't go away, even with new water change. I only have sponge filter, is that the reason? Please help!
Could be, if its not enough filtration. But there are multiple causes for this. Over feeding and over lighting are the most common. I cover all the causes with solutions here - bit.ly/clearH2O
@@KaveManAquatics Thanks a lot for your quick response. I just changed the water yesterday, and today is milky white again.... I put in some Seachem Clarity per Petco, but doesn't seem to have any result.
